Amersham Hill Seconds got their Chilterns League Division Four campaign off to a shaky start with a seven wicket loss on Saturday.

Hill came into the match against Hurley Seconds looking to avoid a repeat of the second bottom finish they suffered last season.

Their preparation for the new season has been far from ideal as poor weather conditions have prevented them from playing a single pre-season match.

The rustiness showed early on as Hill lost Jonnie Cooper in the second over after being put into bat.

New captain Anurag Abinashi joined Dan Newton at the crease and steadied the ship to take Hill to 42 before he was bowled for 16.

Newton fell three balls later and a duck for Andy Robson left veteran Ron Hedley and Stuart Squires to attempt to rebuild.

Hedley would prove to be Hill’s best batsman on the day as he made 41 before being bowled, while Squires made just 10 for his wicket.

The pair’s dismissals signalled the end of the visitors batting order and Dave Pollitt soon skittled through the tail to finish with figures of 5-25.

The Hurley response was slow and steady, but, in truth, they never looked like ending the match with anything other than a win as they reached their target of 141 with two overs to spare.

Amersham Hill’s Seconds will look to kick-start their season when they travel to take on the newly formed side Knotty Green Seconds on Saturday.